What role does gender play in your story? How are men and women treated or portrayed differently? -Olivia Palotay

The 1920s was the time when women had just gained the right to vote, and were beginning to realize that they can do what men can do, and that they should be viewed as equals. There are many cases in the story that show the differences between the genders. Tom is married to Daisy, but he is having on affair with Myrtle. Everyone knew about Tom and Myrtle. He went to see her on the weekends, and they even had their own apartment. Daisy never actually acknowledges that Tom is having an affair, but she know. If Daisy would leave Tom, people would think less of her. But on the other hand, if Daisy was having an affair, everyone would throw a fit because she is a woman, and woman should not disrespect a man like that. Nick and Gatsby do not show many qualities of treating women as unequal like Tom does, but there are other men in the story that do. At one of Gatsby's parties the women want to stay longer, but there husbands do not, so they begin yelling at them and pretty much carry them out of the party.


Besides Tom having an affair with Myrtle, he is also very rude to Daisy. They were once in love, but now it seems the love has faded away for both of them. In chapter five when Tom and Daisy are at one of Gatsby's parties, Tom wants to leave and gets in an argument with Daisy; ""At least they're more interesting than the people we know", she said with an effort. "You didn't look so interested."
"Well, I was." Tom laughed and turned to me. "Did you notice Daisy's face when that girl asked her to put her under a cold shower?"". Tom completely disregards Daisy's opinion and tries to tell her how she feels about the party and the people. He treats her with very little respect. I think the author want Tom to treat Daisy poorly to explain the how women were treated in the 20s and to show how Gatsby is actually in love with her. If Tom was in love with Daisy the way Gatsby is, he would be doing kind things for her. Tom does not have to go as far as building her a gigantic house like Gatsby did, but the little things matter, and I think that shows that Gatsby is who Daisy is truly meant to be with.